This last week was a busy one and a good one. For me, it had a lot to do with driving and family, starting with picking up Lauren from LAX on Monday. On Tuesday, the parents had a bit of a rough travel day from San Fran because of a motorcycle accident on a bridge that made them miss their flight, but they eventually made it. And I picked up my grandma from Ontario that evening.
The rest of the week for me was a whirlwind of playing chauffeur and family support agent. It involved everything from Chico’s with Mom to shuttle service for Grandma to suit delivery man for Dad. I also did my best to sing the songs during Dad’s meetings (which presentations I appreciated) and help people in and out of my little coupe. Poor Lauren. Poor Grandma.
We also enjoyed visiting the great aunt and the old family friends, eating vegan meatballs and listening to the big ol’ voice of an Australian physician retiree, taking cat naps and crushing it at Soup Plantation, and eating hotel breakfasts and having late-night talks. Mom and Dad are good to me. Kika is a dear. And Lauren was a champ.
Personally, as far as ego goes anyway, today was a highlight. I got my first race of the season in at the Verdugo Mountains 10k and came in fourth overall in 43:23. When I was studying my speedy running friend’s (Andrejs) times from three years ago, I figured hitting 45 minutes would be an exceptional race on my part and that finishing in 46–48 minutes would be a more rational expectation and still good. So I was pleasantly surprised and quite pleased to fall into the 43-minute range and come in only about a minute behind Andrejs. (It’s fun to have a fast friend just out of range to keep me motivated and working hard.) And having Grandma at the race to cheer me on was an extra treat. We got to eat breakfast with my other great aunt afterward, and I got to bask in their pride and praise. Ego sufficiently stroked.
I then met Lauren at the train station (her good idea after a night up on transport call) and we made our way to Long Beach to see what kind of apartments are available for her this summer. She also treated me to Seabirds (mine! mine! yum) and got to walk around some of the neighborhoods. It was a lovely day and time. It will be interesting to see how we adapt to her moving out there in just a few weeks.
So in the end, it was a good week! I am full and satisfied. And tired. And excited about the rest of the month, too. It is Mountain May and I am eager to hit the vert in anticipation of my next race (with Andrejs!) on June 23, the Broken Arrow Skyrace 26k up north in Squaw Valley.
Christoffer's Life 